Phosphate flotation with tribasic acids

ABSTRACT

A phosphate ore flotation process subjects a phosphate ore containing silica and silicates to froth flotation in the presence of a collector, said collector being a C 54  high molecular weight tribasic acid comprising three carboxylic functional groups, recovering the phosphate concentrate from the overflow, and removing the separated silica and silicates in the underflow. The tribasic acids should be used in conjunction with fuel oil, not only to reduce the reagent consumption, but also to increase the grade and recovery of phosphate concentrate.



